Going around the Calvary, we can notice on each side a scene from the Passion. The first one represents Jesus praying with three apostles who fallen asleep in the Gethsemane Garden.

At the back, is the scourge : we can see Jesus with two roman soldiers with whips in their hands. The third carving is the crowning with the crown made of thorns. We can also notice that one of the roman soldiers has a reed in his hand (symbol of the sceptre already seen before).

At the back of the Calvary are two statues ; the closest to the graveyard is said to be Virgin. On the top of the building entrance, one can observe a beast symbolising the Devil. The fact that this beast is grimacing can be explained by the presence of a status of Christ (above) who has risen from the dead. It’s the symbol of Christ’s victory over Evil.

Inside the building (the ossuary) is a sculpture which represents Christ put in the grave. Jesus is watched over by three angels (Sculptured by abbot Laumaille in 1863).

Outside the building, on the wall is a sculpture representing (from left to right) Christ in prayer, the Way of the Cross, the crucifixion, Christ taken from the cross and Jesus put in the grave. Here again, one can notice many details in the sculpture and efforts made to keep the scenes realistic.

From the back of the ossuary, you can also observe a little sculpture which stands at the Calvary’s main cross, a man who sitting down and stretching his hands upward represents Christ sitting at his Father’s side.

Right on the top, on the cross shaft, there is a strange character who seems to be sleeping : it is said to be Jesse, David’s father and therefore Christ’s ancestor ; it symbolises the Christ belonging to humanity. On both side on the main cross, one can find the crosses of the two thieves : on Jesus’ right hand side is the good thief ; on Jesus’ left hand side is the bad thief who turns his head away, but we can also notice a beast on the top of the cross (who symbolises the Devil). At the same level as these two crosses, one can see on the main cross two characters at the foot of the cross : they are the Virgin Mary and St John. Another interesting detail is the skulls and bones that can be seen at the feet of Christ. They symbolise Death and Sin that vanquished by Christ’s death since Jesus gave his life for the sins mankind to be forgiven.

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Guide of visit The calvary of Guéhenno

The sides and back of the calvary

- the ossuary -

In 1862, he added the column on which stands cockerel. It is known as the column of St Peter’s denial. Indeed, the cockerel cock faces East, i.e. it faces the rising sun and reminds us of St Peter’s denial: “the cockerel shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me”. the column présent the instruments of the passion : Two spears , One is topped by a sponge, (being

handed to Christ when he was dying on the cross) the second spear stands for the one with which one of the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, The ring and the rope which were used to tie Jesus to the column, The whips, The thorn crown, The reed placed in Christ’s hand, symbol of the spectre, The nails, the hammer and the pliers.

- Historical Backround -

It is acknowlegedged that the Calvary of Guéhenno is the most beautiful one in Morbihan, and is among the most beautiful ones in the whole of Brittany. Furthermore, it is the only dated Calvary in Morbihan. It was built in 1550, (carving under the second altar) and it was built or ordered by Guillouic. In 1793-94, the calvary was almost entirely destroyed. But the pieces were affectedly hidden by the population. In 1853, it was possible for abbot Jacquot to

restore entirely the Calvary, help of his curate (abbot Laumaille). At his arrival in Guéhenno, abbot Jacquot cot the stones back and did his best in order to reconstitute the monument. He added some piece to the Calvary. For those who are not experts in sculpture, it is hard to say which parts are from the initial Calvary and which ones are not. Man of church and was endowed with numerous talents, abbot Jacquot dashed into the sculpture. The first addition was made by the abbot in 1855 : it was the paving and the boundary marks which stand around the pedestal. The next year, he added the four characters at the bottom of the first altar. It is a question four great prophets : Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

- The Altar Front -

On the lower pedestal, the first carving represents Jesus’ apparition to the Holy Women. Under this, one can notice some carved words saying that those who shall come and pray to this Calvary will enjoy 40 days of indulgence. On the very top of this, there is a second carving that represents Christ with the Holy women, St John in the back, and two apostles (at each end) : St Nicodeme and Joseph of

Arimathie. On the platform above, stand two roman soldiers (in the middle) : the horseman is a centurion and the other is supposed to be the soldier who pierced Jesus’ side. On both sides of this platform , they are four characters. It is a question evangelists : Matthew (left back), Luke (left front) sitting on a bull, Mark (right back) with a lion and John (right front) with an eagle. On the right of the Calvary we can see also : Christ carrying the cross with, at his side, St Veronique who is carrying a cloth with Christ’s face print.